Peristaltic Pumps
A peristaltic pump is a type of positive displacement pump used for pumping a variety of fluids. The fluid is contained within a flexible tube fitted inside a circular pump casing.
The operating principals of peristaltic pumps
The operating principles of a peristaltic pump are based on the concept of peristalsis, which is the rhythmic contraction and relaxation of muscles to propel substances through a tube-like structure. In a peristaltic pump, this principle is applied to move liquids by utilizing a flexible hose or tube.
The central component of a peristaltic pump is the hose or tube, which is typically made of a resilient and chemically resistant material. The pump consists of a rotor or rollers and a housing.
When the pump is in operation, the rotor or rollers rotate and come into contact with the hose. As the rotor or rollers move along the length of the hose, they apply pressure to the external surface of the hose, compressing it against the housing. This compression creates a sealed, occluded section of the hose. As the rotor or rollers continue to rotate, the occluded section of the hose moves along the length of the tube. This movement causes the liquid trapped within the occluded section to be pushed forward in a positive displacement manner. The liquid is essentially squeezed out of the occluded section and propelled through the hose.
Once the occluded section moves past the rotor or rollers, the hose regains its original shape due to its inherent elasticity. This action creates a suction effect or vacuum behind the occluded section, causing the hose to open up and draw more liquid into the pump from the inlet. The peristaltic pump operates in a cyclical fashion, with the rotor or rollers continuously compressing and releasing the hose, thereby generating a series of pulsating flows. The direction and flow rate of the liquid can be controlled by adjusting the speed and direction of the rotor or rollers.
One of the significant advantages of peristaltic pumps is that the liquid being pumped only comes into contact with the inside surface of the hose, ensuring high hygienic standards and minimizing the risk of contamination. Additionally, the hose is the primary wear component of the pump and can be easily replaced when necessary. Peristaltic pumps are widely used in various industries for their ability to handle sensitive, viscous, and abrasive fluids. They find applications in fields such as pharmaceuticals, food and beverage, water treatment, chemical processing, and many more.
Industries and Applications that uses realAx peristaltic pumps
The Realax peristaltic pump is applied in various industries, including the water and wastewater industry, mining industry, food and beverage industry, and chemical industry, due to its reliability, versatility, and ability to handle different types of fluids. Here’s a description of its applications in each industry:
Water & Wastewater Industry
- Metering and dosing of chemicals: Peristaltic pumps accurately and precisely meter and dose chemicals for water treatment processes such as disinfection, pH adjustment, coagulation, and flocculation.
- Sludge transfer: Peristaltic pumps are utilized for transferring sludge from settling tanks, dewatering processes, or filter presses.
- Pumping abrasive and corrosive fluids: The pumps can handle abrasive slurries, chemicals, and corrosive liquids commonly found in water and wastewater treatment plants.
Mining Industry
- Slurry transfer: Peristaltic pumps can handle highly abrasive and dense slurries, including tailings, mine dewatering, and mineral processing slurries.
- Chemical dosing: They are used for precise dosing of chemicals in various mining processes, such as flotation, leaching, and pH adjustment.
- Water transfer: Peristaltic pumps are utilized for transferring water within mining operations, including water supply to remote locations, drainage, and wastewater management.
Food & Beverage Industry
- Product transfer: Peristaltic pumps are used for transferring viscous and shear-sensitive food and beverage products, including juices, sauces, dairy products, and flavorings.
- CIP (Clean-in-Place) systems: Peristaltic pumps are utilized in CIP systems to circulate cleaning solutions and sanitizers throughout processing equipment and pipelines.
- Ingredient dosing: They are employed for accurate and controlled dosing of ingredients in food and beverage production, ensuring precise recipe formulations.
Chemical Industry
- Chemical transfer: Peristaltic pumps are capable of handling a wide range of corrosive, abrasive, and viscous chemicals, including acids, alkalis, solvents, and slurries.
- Hazardous fluid handling: They are utilized for safely transferring and dosing hazardous chemicals, ensuring operator safety and preventing leaks or spills.
- Sampling and analysis: Peristaltic pumps can be used for sampling fluids from different stages of chemical processes and delivering them to analysis equipment or laboratories.
In all these industries, Realax peristaltic pumps offer advantages such as gentle pumping action, precise metering, self-priming capabilities, easy maintenance, and the ability to handle a wide range of fluids with minimal risk of contamination. These features make them a reliable choice for critical applications in diverse industrial sectors.